I now realize why I can’t wait more than a month to send out a newsletter. After skipping March, it feels like so much has happened over the last six or seven weeks to cover in a single newsletter.

Of course the biggest news is the NFL Draft kicks off today, and although the Seahawks traded away the 25th pick in one of the biggest moves this offseason, there are plenty of reasons to watch. Although general manager John Schneider says their just going to spend the evening watching Percy Harvin highlights, I personally think there is a chance they could jump back into the first round.

The Seahawks no longer have a problem trying to fill out their roster, so giving up one or more of their 10 draft picks to move into position to get a guy they like is very possible. Maybe they don’t move the first round, but I would not be surprised if they make some moves.

In club news, the Military Sea Hawkers now number over 1,000 members (1,009 to be exact). It only took 10 years, but thanks to our growing numbers, you’ve continued to spread the word to your fellow service members, veterans and retirees. I’m confident we’ll be hitting 2,000 before 2023.

So what has happened since the last newsletter at the end of February? Here’s a quick summary: March 12: Traded a 1st & 7th–round pick from 2013 and a 3rd from 2014 to the Vikings for WR Percy Harvin March 12: Released RB/KR Leon Washington (later signed with the Patriots) March 14: Signed former-Lions DE Cliff Avril March 15: Signed former-Bucs DE Michael Bennett March 16: Released WR Ben Obomanu April 1: QB Matt Flynn traded to the Raiders for a 5th-round pick in 2014 and a conditional 2015 pick April 3: Signed QB Josh Portis April 11: Signed QB Brady Quinn April 17: Signed former-Vikings CB Antoine Winfield April 19: Signed K Steven Hauschka April 22: SS Kam Chancellor signs four-year extension through 2017

Hopefully that hits all of the biggest highlights.

For those of you attending the Sea Hawkers Annual Banquet on Saturday have a great time. If you don’t have plans for the draft tonight, check out the link on the right. The South Sea Hawkers Chapter is holding a Draft Day Party at the Hawks Nest Restaurant at 1028 1st Ave S in Seattle starting at 5pm. Breno Giacomini and Phillip Bates are also scheduled to be there.

Looking forward to another outstanding draft class! GO HAWKS!!!

-Brandan

Seahawks Making ‘Super’ Off-season Moves

March has been a busy month for our Seattle Seahawks, and even as I write this article there are big moves in the works.

Backup quarterback Matt Flynn is reportedly on the move to the Oakland Raiders for draft picks, and there is speculation the Seahawks could look toward Bills backup quarterback Tyler Thigpen or Browns quarterback Colt McCoy to move in behind him.

Seattle has been extremely patient in waiting to see where the big free agents land. For teams desperate for a quarterback, they’ve now had an opportunity to fully evaluate the college talent and those that don’t like what they see are looking at Flynn.

Of course one of the biggest moves of the offseason was completed when the Seahawks traded away their first-round draft pick to Minnesota for wide receiver Percy Harvin. The move isn’t without risk considering his reported troubles with coaches in Minnesota, but it’s definitely worth the risk considering the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell worked with Harvin before coming to Seattle.

Another big free agent signing was the addition of former Lions’ defensive end Cliff Avril. He was ProFootballTalk’s second-ranked player behind Mike Wallace on their list of top 100 free agents. Not too much farther down on the list at number 11 is defensive end Michael Bennett, also picked up by Seattle this month.

By taking two of the top-three free agent pass rushers, the Seahawks are making their intensions clear—they want to get to the quarterback in 2013.

These moves have the attention of the rest of the NFL, with ESPN moving the Seahawks up the power rankings to number one. While it may not mean anything at this point of the year, it does show that people are paying attention to Seattle now and giving them some respect.

Speaking of disrespect, I’m reminded of the program that showed up on NFL Network called, Top 10 Coaches Who Belonged in College, with Pete Carroll in the nine hole – three spots behind former Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson.

I understand that this is an old program that was updated since Carroll came to Seattle. While he may have deserved that spot four years ago, I think he’s already done enough to get taken off the list.

Maybe they could put former Raiders coach, and current USC coach, Lane Kiffin in that spot. Though one could argue that he doesn’t even belong in college, he hasn’t won anything in college outside of the regular season.

But back to Carroll, considering the moves he is making with general manager John Schneider, it’s only going to be a matter of time before his pro career with Seattle begins to overshadow his college career.

Brandan Schulze Military Sea Hawkers VP of Communications and Membership